Should I get a strat?

[Fretting out]

Only if you don't mind risking falling in love with it and being ANOTHER Strat guy.
Maybe someday I'll fully admit to myself that I'm just a Strat guy.
Every time I play mine, I think, "Why do I play anything else?"
But I'm a Blues guy and I'm reluctant to be ANOTHER Blues guy with a Strat.
Then again...I don't guess Ronnie Earl ever has such thoughts...or Jimmie Vaughan, or Buddy Guy....

It’s funny

I used to be of the same mindset when I started playing “I’ll never play a strat….sheesh they are all the same, nothing original about playing a strat”

Then I came to realize you can say the same about every mass produced electric guitar

And now I have three strats

Every guitar to me is on a case by case basis now

 

[eddiewagner]

So true.

No risk, no fun….

 

[Vegetable Man]

If you like the 2 and 4 position "quack", get a S/S/S.

I agree with previous posts, the body shape is very comfortable. However, I'm not a fan of the switch or volume knob location.

IMO, a tele does everything else better.

 

[Chicago Matt]

If you like the 2 and 4 position "quack", get a S/S/S.

I agree with previous posts, the body shape is very comfortable. However, I'm not a fan of the switch or volume knob location.

IMO, a tele does everything else better.

Opposite for me. I love where a Strat's volume is, right where I can ride it with my pinky as I play. And the switch to me is much more ergonomic by being placed diagonally in line with the natural motion of my strumming hand. But like I wrote earlier, must have both!

 

[P Thought]

Goofy looking headstock, but don't let that stop you.

 

[Blackmore Fan]

Goofy looking headstock, but don't let that stop you.

The headstock is merely "full", rather than atrophied.

 

[tacobender]

I just got a strat, I can’t believe nobody has mentioned how the volume knob is completely in the way. I still enjoy playing it, but palm muting the strings is out, as well as aggressive strumming. May as well have an ashtray cover on it.

It’s a 2014 American Standard. Has an allparts neck and locking tuners. I’m glad to add it to the collection, but damn that volume knob. Great for chicken pickin some clean tones though. Easy on the eye too, love the Jade pearl metallic.

 

[ABetterTelePlayer]

NO

Strats are wrong. Leo got it right at the first time, wrong at the second.

True rockabilly guitarists play Strats and Gretsch guitars

 

[Blackmore Fan]

I just got a strat, I can’t believe nobody has mentioned how the volume knob is completely in the way. I still enjoy playing it, but palm muting the strings is out, as well as aggressive strumming. May as well have an ashtray cover on it.

It’s a 2014 American Standard. Has an allparts neck and locking tuners. I’m glad to add it to the collection, but damn that volume knob. Great for chicken pickin some clean tones though. Easy on the eye too, love the Jade pearl metallic. View attachment 1091827

What a beautiful Strat! Congratulations!

You'll get used to the volume knob placement!

 

[tacobender]

What a beautiful Strat! Congratulations!

You'll get used to the volume knob placement!

Thanks, I love the color. I’m going to re fin the neck. It was badly wiped with tru oil, and had a few small dings that sanded out. Plenty of neck to sand. After sanding, its a tad under .98 all the way down. Allparts “fat”

 

[Tone Quest]

I have both a Tele and a Strat. I enjoy them for their differences.

 

[dlew919]

I just got a strat, I can’t believe nobody has mentioned how the volume knob is completely in the way. I still enjoy playing it, but palm muting the strings is out, as well as aggressive strumming. May as well have an ashtray cover on it.

It’s a 2014 American Standard. Has an allparts neck and locking tuners. I’m glad to add it to the collection, but damn that volume knob. Great for chicken pickin some clean tones though. Easy on the eye too, love the Jade pearl metallic. View attachment 1091827

If you get a piece of foam and put it under the volume knob it will hold the knob in place while still slowing you to manipulate it when you want.

 

[tacobender]

If you get a piece of foam and put it under the volume knob it will hold the knob in place while still slowing you to manipulate it when you want.

I removed the knob. Problem solved for now. I need to fabricate a smaller knob.

Edit: I believe the small jazz bass knob is the ticket. And I found them in cream.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Yes. They're lots of fun. Get one used.

Vintage-style models (single-coils, slotted tuners, six bridge screws) sound the Stratiest.

Don't settle for a Squier.

Don't fall for overwound (a.k.a. hot) pickups. You can overdrive underwound pickups, but you can't underdrive overwound pickups.

Fool around with all five switch positions. None sounds like a Tele's three.

If you don't like it, sell it.

 

[Blackmore Fan]

Don't fall for overwound (a.k.a. hot) pickups. You can overdrive underwound pickups, but you can't underdrive overwound pickups.

That's sound advice.

 

[Blackmore Fan]

Don't settle for a Squier.

I'd agree about a regular Squier Strat, but the Classic Vibe Strats (50s and 60s models) have some nice "vintage" sounding pickups and better quality control overall. If I had to play a few songs tonight, I'd prefer a Classic Vibe Strat over the Fender MIM models that preceded the Player line.

 

[tacobender]

I was half shopping for a CV 50s due to my experience with the CV tele, but I’m pretty happy about the features on this AM standard I traded for.

 

[Blackmore Fan]

I was half shopping for a CV 50s due to my experience with the CV tele, but I’m pretty happy about the features on this AM standard I traded for.

The American Standards are a great line.

 

[String Tree]

So, I mostly play telecasters and Gretsch. A great deal has come up at the local shop for a Squier fifties or sixties classic vibe (there’s a couple of each). It’s going to go down to the neck width I think. Although I usually prefer maple finger boards, I think the sixties with it’s slightly different neck is it.

Anyhow. Have any of you gone from Tele to strat and not liked it? Am I just reacting to Jeff’s passing, or would you recommend it? I know only I can know the answer, but I’m interested in your experience.

Thanks in advance.

Buy the Dang Strat.
If you don't like it, sell it.

 

[Happy Enchilada]

I've tried to "bond with" Strats on several occasions to no avail.
Too many pickups. Confusing switching.
Yeah, they LOOK cool, but I'd rather have a guitar with 2 pickups, a 3-way switch, and great sounds.
Forget the Strat. Get an LP Special with P90s and never look back.
Sounds much more like rock n roll without a ton of gizmos.
Simpler is always better.